Beyond Racial Classification

A friend to me has no race, no class and belongs to no minority.  My friendships were formed out of affection, mutual respect and a feeling of having something strong in common.  These are eternal values that cannot be racially classified.  This is the way I look at race.
––     Francis Sinatra
[To which list (“things that don’t matter to me”) I would add:  citizenship, religion, political party, education, age, height, weight, gender and sexual orientation.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Beyond Racial Classification
2021	There’s Still No Voter Fraud
	Versions
2020	Another Reason #DonTheCon Continues To Lie About The Pandemic
	A Receptive Push
2019	I’m Still Struggling To Rise
2018	Once Suddenly Free
2017	What Is Childlike
2016	The Latter A Lot Quicker Than The Former
2015	Notes On My Nightstand
2014	Generations
2013	Two For One
2012	Seen And Heard
2011	The Hazards And Vicissitudes Of Life

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If That’s What You Mean

I believe in you and me.  I’m like Albert Schweitzer and Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein in that I have a respect for life – in any form.  I believe in nature, in the birds, the sea, the sky, in everything I can see or that there is real evidence for.  If these things are what you mean by God, then I believe in God.  But I don’t believe in a personal God to whom I look for comfort or for a natural on the next roll of the dice.
––     Frank Sinatra
[Can one draw comfort from believing in “God” without looking directly for it (God’s comfort)?  I seem to be able to.  Inshallah…    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	If That’s What You Mean
2021	Awakening The Glow
	I Remember
2020	Golden Eagle
	Like #45: Incompetent Donald
2019	#45: Who Lost By Three Million Votes
2018	Torn Between Two Loves
	A Girl And A Boy
2017	I Think They Are Starting To…
2016	Living There
2015	Bookin’ West
	Beyond My Reach
	You Never Call Anymore…
2014	Winning?
2013	Still Inventing
2012	Motivated
2011	Waiting In Line At Starbuck’s

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Versions: (Father And Son)

My son is an Elvis fan.  I prefer Sinatra…  (but Elvis is cool, too.)
My Way
Favorite Line(s):
For what is a man
What has he got
If not himself
Then he has not
To say the things
He truly feels
And not the words
Of one who kneels
The record shows
I took the blows
And did it
My way
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On This Day In:
2022	Remember
2021	Now You’re 31…
	Versions: (Father And Son)
2020	Make A Fuss
2019	Hopefully, You’re Learning To Forgive
2018	Enjoy The Sunsets As Well As The Sunrises
2017	Enjoy
2016	I Got A Feeling
2015	Fiction Leading To History
2014	A Self-Correcting Process
2013	None But He Knows
2012	99% Are Demanding
2011	All In The Family
	Take Your Pick

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Practicing To Be Clever

Something Stupid
Favorite Line(s):
I practice every day
To find
Some clever lines
To say
To make
The meaning
Come through
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On This Day In:
2019	Welcome Home
	The Whole Community
2018	The Cells Are Right
	Day 19: Broth
2017	Be Responsible
2016	Thinking About November 8th, 2016
2015	Lonely Teardrops
2014	Pleasurable Law
2013	Room For Justice
	In The Minds Of Others
2012	Extinction, n.
2011	Snap!

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Doin’

To be is to do.
—    Socrates
To do is to be.
—    Sartre
Do be do be do…
—    Sinatra
Scoo bi doo bi doo!
—    Scoobidoo
[Not every post has to be serious…     —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	MAGA Choice: Reality Or Lies
	You Seem To Be
2020	A Good Reason To Blog
	Finally Enjoying The View
2019	Living Free
2018	Relative Imagination
2017	Thank You, Senator McCain (So Far Anyway)
2016	What About Friends?
2015	It Tastes Good To Me
2014	Others’ Footsteps
	The Not-So-Modern Samurai
2013	Doin’
2012	A Lover
2011	What Have We Found Here
	Words

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Stumblin’ Along My Way

Tonight I was wandering around on YouTube and stumbled over an old favorite by the “Chairman of the Board“.  Here’s the lyrics to a real classic:  “My Way“, as sung by Frank Sinatra.
Frank Sinatra has another entry on my Poems page:  “America In Frank’s Words“.  Enjoy them both…
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Frankly Speaking to Arizona

To all the hate-mongers in Arizona and the “Tea” Party, please consider the words of the Chairman of the Board.  (Click the link to read his full Op-Ed.)
“As for the others, those cross-burning bigots to whom mental slavery is alive and well, I don’t envy their trials in the next world, where their thoughts and words and actions will be judged by a jury of One.  Why do so many among us continue in words and deeds to ignore, insult and challenge the unforgettable words of Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the Declaration of Independence’s promise to every man, woman and child–the self-evident truth that all are created equal?“
“…Who in the name of God are these people anyway, the ones who elevate themselves above others?  America is an immigrant country.  Maybe not you and me, but those whose love made our lives possible, or their parents or grandparents.  America was founded by these people, who were fed up with other countries.“
And finally, “…Even now, with all our problems, America is still a dream of oppressed people the world over.  Take a minute.  Consider what we are doing to each other as we rob friends and strangers of dignity as well as equality.  Give a few minutes of fairness to the house we live in, and to all who share it with us from sea to shining sea.  For if we don’t come to grips with this killer disease of hatred, of bigotry and racism and anti-Semitism, pretty soon we will destroy from within this blessed country.“
If seeing the country torn apart by hatred breaks your heart (as it does mine), a final quote from Frank Sinatra on mending a broken heart:  “You don’t.  I think being jilted is one of life’s most painful experiences.  It takes a long time to heal a broken heart.  It’s happened to all of us and never gets any easier.  I understand, however, that playing one of my albums can help.“
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